Recognizing the Signs of Depression in a Loved One

When you’re watching a loved one struggle with mental health, you might feel lost and unsure about how to best help and support them. Often when a person sees someone they care about dealing with depression, it’s difficult to discern what is short-term or situation depression, and when signs of a more serious depressive order are present.

Recognizing the signs of depression in a loved one is important for being able to support them in the way they need, and for assisting them in seeking appropriate treatment.

If you’re concerned your loved one is struggling with depression, know that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website offers a comprehensive resource for anyone affected by mental health conditions.

Short-Term Depression Vs Major Depressive Disorder

When someone is depressed, they may feel a sense of persistent sadness or hopelessness. It’s common for someone with depression to lose interest in activities they would normally find pleasure in. These are shared characteristics that are found in different types of depression.

When these feelings are experienced for a few days or a few weeks, they can often be attributed to short-term or situational depression. This type of depression is a response to an event, trauma, or times of stress. Job loss, a divorce, or empty-nest syndrome are examples of triggers for situational depression.

If someone you care for has recently experienced a stressful or traumatic event, know that it’s normal to experience a bout of short-term depression. However, as they process, adapt, and heal, the symptoms of depression should begin to fade.

There are therapeutic approaches to treating short-term depression, but many people are able to manage these seasons of life without much intervention. Offering your support and being there for them is important during this time.

In contrast, major depressive disorder is chronic and is not influenced by a triggering event. Also referred to as clinical depression, major depressive disorder is a mental illness that can become quite severe. Those with clinical depression may experience pervasive feelings of sadness and unworthiness. Each day may feel hopeless and they lack the motivation to perform normal daily tasks. This type of pervasive depression can affect every area of a person’s life, including their physical health.

Those with major depressive disorder may be able to manage their condition through self-care, mindfulness, nutrition, and other natural approaches. However, these are best used as complementary rather than primary therapies.  Professional therapy, and sometimes, medication are the most effective route to healing. 

Recognizing Signs of Depression in Loved Ones

Depression can manifest itself in different ways, making it a challenge to recognize when someone you care about is suffering from it. The signs may be subtle, especially in the early stages, and you might not realize they are struggling at all.

As clinical depression progresses, it does so in ways that affect a person’s emotions, behavior, and physical well-being.

Emotional Signs of Depression

These are the classic signs of depression that most people are familiar with. Emotional signs of depression include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, unworthiness, and a general lack of enthusiasm for life. You might sense that your loved one has been “feeling down” lately, that they seem distant or disconnected, and that they have lost motivation for work, school, or home life.

Behavioral Signs of Depression

Behavioral signs of depression aren’t always easy to recognize in someone you love. At first, it might seem as though they are having a bad day or week. Then you might begin to notice that their personality seems to have changed without explanation. They may become more irritable, moody, or more easily angered in a way that seems out of character for them.

You might also notice that they aren’t as social as they once were, or that they are spending time around different people or settings. Responsibilities that they were once committed to may become neglected, and they may drop hobbies and pastimes that they once found interesting.

Physical Signs of Depression

Depending on the relationship with your loved one, the physical signs of depression may or may not be obvious. For example, you might hear them complain about headaches or muscle tension more frequently. You may notice that they’re not finishing their meals or are just uninterested in eating.

However, it’s also common for physical symptoms to go unnoticed by others. Changes in sleep patterns might not be something you’re easy to identify, and they might not be forthcoming about new digestive issues.

Early Signs of Depression to Be Aware Of

The earlier the signs of depression in a loved one can be recognized, the easier it is to support them in getting help. If you’re noticing one or two symptoms, consider having a gentle conversation with your loved one about how they’re feeling.

However, it’s also important to be aware when signs of depression indicate chronic, clinical depression. If your loved one is or has experienced a major depressive episode, they will have experienced five or more of the following symptoms for a period of more than two weeks. [X]

• Generalized depressed mood
• Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
• Sleep disturbances or insomnia
• Diminished interest in most activities
• Changes in weight (loss or gain)
• Slowing of mental and physical function (psychomotor retardation)
• Fatigue
• Inability to concentrate or make decisions
• Recurring thoughts of death or dying.